The Montreal Canadiens have struggled to put the puck in the net, which has limited power play efficiency and win percentage.
Habs general manager Kent Hughes has done his darndest to address the issue, both with trades and through the draft. Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook are still developing, so the jury is still out on them. But I believe just like Patrik Laine, Hughes's third consecutive offseason acquisition, Newhook and Dach will add some much-needed goalscoring to the Habs going forward.
However, Hughes knows he was afforded some solid pieces, who were with the team before his arrival. Guys like Cole Caufield and the team's captain Nick Suzuki. Suzuki intrigues Hughes, because he is such a strong shooter, although he isn’t recognized for it throughout the National Hockey League.
I expect that as he continues scoring clutch goals and delivering in the shootout, he will be appreciated for the great shooter that Habs fans know he is.
Suzuki has high expectations for himself
In an interview with Jackie Redmond, the Canadiens captain said he has hopes of reaching point-per-game totals this upcoming season. It would be wise to side with him, in believing that he can accomplish the feat. Though the Canadiens have needed to add more goals over the past few seasons, Suzuki has paced the club right at the top.
"What is your biggest personal goal for this year?"
— nick suzuki sniffles (@habsfolder) October 3, 2024
Nick: I'd like to get to a point per game. pic.twitter.com/I6ydOLQwyx
It requires more than just goals to reach 82 points in as many games, but so long as he is confident the points seem to accumulate. With a healthy Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky entering the season with him, the odds are certainly in his favour. Caufield and Slafkovksy are still discovering their games, so with a little more experience, Suzuki should reap the benefits of his improving linemates at five-on-five and on the man advantage.
Suzuki doesn’t lack confidence, but he also isn’t cocky. Realistically, I don’t think he would say point-per-game if he didn’t believe it to be attainable. With that said, Habs fans should expect big things from No. 14.
He consistently finds new ways to fool goalies with his slick mitts, and when he decides to fire a wrist shot, he gets some real power behind it, to burn opposing goalies.